-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Lls7T7EeROLL2rivnQWRzawULIlg+MJGDfurtTwnJnf1vkuhPWaYVEBJGWeIgL3d N9Tab7tn7m++YBzjPGPrqA== 0001193125-08-135903.txt : 20080618 0001193125-08-135903.hdr.sgml : 20080618 20080618153421 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-08-135903 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080618 ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20080618 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080618 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MERRILL LYNCH & CO INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000065100 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SECURITY BROKERS, DEALERS & FLOTATION COMPANIES [6211] IRS NUMBER: 132740599 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1228 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-07182 FILM NUMBER: 08905660 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4 WORLD FINANCIAL CTR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10080 BUSINESS PHONE: 2124491000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4 WORLD FINANCIAL CTR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10080 8-K 1 d8k.htm FORM 8-K DATED JUNE 18, 2008 Form 8-K dated June 18, 2008

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 18, 2008

    Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.    

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   1-7182   13-2740599

(State or other

jurisdiction of

incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

4 World Financial Center, New York, New York     10080

(Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 449-1000

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Item 8.01. Other Events

 

1.    Exhibits are filed herewith in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-132911) filed by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the “Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering Senior Debt Securities issuable under an indenture dated as of April 1, 1983, as amended through the date hereof, between the Company and The Bank of New York (as so amended, the “Indenture”). The Company has issued as part of its Medium-Term Notes, Series C, $5,300,000 aggregate principal amount of Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to an International Small Cap Basket due December 24, 2009 under the Indenture. The exhibits consist of the form of Note and an opinion of counsel relating thereto.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

 

EXHIBITS   
(4)    Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures.
   Form of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to an International Small Cap Basket due December 24, 2009.
(5) & (23)    Opinion re: legality; consent of counsel.
   Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP relating to the Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to an International Small Cap Basket due December 24, 2009 (including consent for inclusion of such opinion in this report and in Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s Registration Statement relating to such Notes).

 

 

2


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

 

MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.

                (Registrant)

By:   /S/    JOHN THURLOW          
 

John Thurlow

Assistant Treasurer

Date: June 18, 2008

 

 

3


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.

EXHIBITS TO CURRENT REPORT ON

FORM 8-K DATED JUNE 18, 2008

Commission File Number 1-7182


Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.    Description
(4)    Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures.
  

Form of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to an International Small Cap Basket due December 24, 2009.

(5) & (23)    Opinion re: legality; consent of counsel.
  

Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP relating to the Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to an International Small Cap Basket due December 24, 2009 (including consent for inclusion of such opinion in this report and in Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s Registration Statement relating to such Notes).

EX-4 2 dex4.htm INSTRUMENTS DEFINING THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS, INCLUDING INDENTURES Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures

EXHIBIT (4)

THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN CERTIFICATED FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE “DEPOSITORY”) TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY THE DEPOSITORY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY. UNLESS THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

REGISTERED No.: R-1   CUSIP No.: 59023V290       PRINCIPAL AMOUNT:
   

530,000 Units, $10 principal

amount per Unit ($5,300,000

aggregate principal amount)

MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.

MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES C

Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes®

(the “Notes”)

 

INDEX:   INDEX PUBLISHER:   ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE:
International Small Cap Basket (the “Basket”) comprised of the Dow Jones EURO STOXX Small 200 Index and the TOPIX Small Cap Index (each a “Basket Component Index” and together the “Basket Component Indices”)   With respect to the applicable Basket Component Index, STOXX Limited and Tokyo Stock Exchange, respectively.   June 18, 2008

STARTING VALUE:

100

 

THRESHOLD VALUE:

90

 

CAPPED VALUE:

$12.25 per Unit

PARTICIPATION RATE:

200%

 

DOWNSIDE LEVERAGE FACTOR:

100%

 

STATED MATURITY:

December 24, 2009

CALCULATION AGENT:

Merrill Lynch, Pierce,

Fenner & Smith Incorporated

 

DENOMINATIONS:

Integral multiples of $10 principal amount (each, a “Unit”)

 

SPECIFIED CURRENCY:

United States dollar


BASKET BUSINESS DAY:

A day on which (i) New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), the American Stock Exchange and The Nasdaq Stock Market are open for trading and (ii) the Basket Component Indices or any Successor Indices (as defined below) are calculated and published

   


THE BASKET:

The Calculation Agent will calculate the level of the Basket by summing the products of the closing level of each Basket Component Index during the Calculation Period (as defined below) and the Multiplier specified below applicable to each Basket Component Index.

 

Basket Component Index

   Multiplier

Dow Jones EURO STOXX Small 200 Index

   0.29152819

TOPIX Small Cap Index

   0.04128751

OTHER PROVISIONS:

Not applicable


Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture herein referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or its registered assigns, the Redemption Amount (as defined below) per Unit on the Stated Maturity.

Payment or delivery of the Redemption Amount and any interest on any overdue amount thereof with respect to this Global Note shall be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

Payment on the Stated Maturity

On the Stated Maturity, a Holder shall receive a cash payment per Unit equal to the Redemption Amount per Unit. The “Redemption Amount” with respect to each Unit shall be determined by the Calculation Agent and shall equal:

(i)    If the Ending Value (as defined below) is greater than the Starting Value:

 

$10 +

 

(

 

  $10 ×  

(

 

  Ending Value – Starting Value  

)

 

  ×Participation Rate  

)

 

  ;
        Starting Value        

provided, however, the Redemption Amount per Unit shall not exceed the Capped Value; or

(ii)    If the Ending Value is equal to or less than the Starting Value but is greater than or equal to the Threshold Value, the $10 original public offering price per Unit; or

(iii)    If the Ending Value is less than the Threshold Value:

$10 +

 

(

 

  $10 ×  

(

 

  Ending Value – Threshold Value  

)

 

  Downside LeverageFactor  

)

 

 
        Starting Value        

The “Ending Value” shall be determined by the Calculation Agent and shall equal the average of the closing levels of the Basket determined on each of the first five Calculation Days (as defined below) during the Calculation Period (as defined below). If there are fewer than five Calculation Days during the Calculation Period, then the Ending Value shall equal the average of the closing levels of the Basket on those Calculation Days. If there is only one Calculation Day during the Calculation Period, then the Ending Value shall equal the closing level of the Basket on that Calculation Day. If no Calculation Days occur during the Calculation Period, then the Ending Value shall equal the closing level of the Basket determined (or, if not determinable, estimated by the Calculation Agent in a manner which is considered commercially reasonable under the circumstances) on the last scheduled Basket Business Day in the Calculation Period, regardless of the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event (as defined below) on that scheduled Basket Business Day.


The “Calculation Period” means the period from and including the seventh scheduled Basket Business Day before the Stated Maturity to and including the second scheduled Basket Business Day before the Stated Maturity.

A “Calculation Day” means any Basket Business Day during the Calculation Period on which a Market Disruption Event has not occurred.

All determinations made by the Calculation Agent, absent a determination of manifest error, shall be conclusive for all purposes and binding on the Company and the Holders and beneficial owners of this Global Note.

Adjustments to the Basket Component Indices; Market Disruption Events

If at any time any of the Index Publishers makes a material change in the formula for or the method of calculating its respective Basket Component Index or in any other way materially modifies that Basket Component Index so that the Basket Component Index does not, in the opinion of the Calculation Agent, fairly represent the level of that Basket Component Index had those changes or modifications not been made, then, from and after that time, the Calculation Agent shall, at the close of business in New York, New York, on each date that the closing level of the Basket Component Index is to be calculated, make any adjustments as, in the good faith judgment of the Calculation Agent, may be necessary in order to arrive at a calculation of a level of a stock index comparable to that Basket Component Index as if those changes or modifications had not been made, and calculate the closing level with reference to the Basket Component Index, as so adjusted.

“Market Disruption Event” means either of the following events as determined by the Calculation Agent:

 

  (A) the suspension of or material limitation on trading, in each case, for more than two hours of trading, or during the one-half hour period preceding the close of trading, on the primary exchange where component stocks of the Basket Component Indices trade as determined by the Calculation Agent (without taking into account any extended or after-hours trading session), in 20% or more of the stocks which then comprise a Basket Component Index or any Successor Index; or

 

  (B) the suspension of or material limitation on trading, in each case, for more than two hours of trading, or during the one-half hour period preceding the close of trading, on the primary exchange that trades options contracts or futures contracts related to a Basket Component Index as determined by the Calculation Agent (without taking into account any extended or after-hours trading session), whether by reason of movements in price otherwise exceeding levels permitted by the relevant exchange or otherwise, in options contracts or futures contracts related to the Basket Component Index, or any Successor Index.

For the purpose of determining whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred:

 

  (1) a limitation on the hours in a trading day and/or number of days of trading shall not constitute a Market Disruption Event if it results from an announced change in the regular business hours of the relevant exchange;


  (2) a decision to permanently discontinue trading in the relevant futures or options contracts related to the applicable Basket Component Index, or any Successor Index, shall not constitute a Market Disruption Event;

 

  (3) a suspension in trading in a futures or options contract on the applicable Basket Component Index, or any Successor Index, by a major securities market by reason of (a) a price change violating limits set by that securities market, (b) an imbalance of orders relating to those contracts or (c) a disparity in bid and ask quotes relating to those contracts shall constitute a suspension of or material limitation on trading in futures or options contracts related to that Basket Component Index;

 

  (4) a suspension of or material limitation on trading on the relevant exchange shall not include any time when that exchange is closed for trading under ordinary circumstances; and

 

  (5) for the purpose of clauses (A) and (B) above, any limitations on trading during significant market fluctuations under NYSE Rule 80B, or any applicable rule or regulation enacted or promulgated by the NYSE or any other self regulatory organization or the Securities and Exchange Commission of similar scope as determined by the Calculation Agent, shall be considered “material”.

Discontinuance of the Basket Component Indices

If an Index Publisher discontinues publication of its respective Basket Component Index and the Index Publisher or another entity publishes a successor or substitute index that the Calculation Agent determines, in its sole discretion, to be comparable to that Basket Component Index (each a “Successor Index” and together the “Successor Indices”), then, upon the Calculation Agent’s notification of that determination to the Trustee (as defined below) and the Company, the Calculation Agent shall substitute such Successor Index as calculated by the Index Publisher or any other entity and calculate the Ending Value as described above under “Payment on the Stated Maturity”. Upon any selection by the Calculation Agent of a Successor Index, the Company shall cause notice to be given to Holders of this Global Note.

In the event that the Index Publisher discontinues publication of its respective Basket Component Index and:

 

   

the Calculation Agent does not select a Successor Index; or

 

   

the Successor Index is not published on any of the Calculation Days,

the Calculation Agent shall compute a substitute level for that Basket Component Index in accordance with the procedures last used to calculate that Basket Component Index before any discontinuance. If a Successor Index is selected or the Calculation Agent calculates a level as a substitute for a Basket Component Index as described below, the Successor Index or level shall be used as a substitute for that Basket Component Index for all purposes, including the purpose of determining whether a Market Disruption Event exists.

If the Index Publisher discontinues publication of its respective Basket Component Index before the Calculation Period and the Calculation Agent determines that no Successor


Index is available at that time, then on each Business Day (as defined below) until the earlier to occur of:

 

   

the determination of the Ending Value; and

 

   

a determination by the Calculation Agent that a Successor Index is available,

the Calculation Agent shall determine the value that would be used in computing the Redemption Amount as described in the preceding paragraph as if that day were a Calculation Day. The Calculation Agent shall cause notice of each value to be published not less often than once each month in The Wall Street Journal or another newspaper of general circulation and arrange for information with respect to these values to be made available by telephone.

A “Business Day” is any day on which (i) the Basket Component Indices or any Successor Indices, if any, that have not been discontinued, are calculated and published and (ii) with respect to the Basket Component Indices, or any Successor Indices, which have been discontinued, a day on which the applicable exchanges listing the stocks of companies used to calculate a substitute level for a Basket Component Index following a discontinuance are open for trading.

General

All percentages resulting from any calculation on the Notes shall be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards. For example, 9.876545% (or .09876545) would be rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655). All dollar amounts used in or resulting from any calculation shall be rounded to the nearest cent with one-half cent being rounded upward.

This Global Note is one of a duly authorized issue of the Company’s Medium-Term Notes, Series C, designated as Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® which are due on the Stated Maturity. The Notes are issued and to be issued under an indenture dated as of April 1, 1983, as amended and restated (the “Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York (herein called the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor Trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and the terms upon which the Notes are to be authenticated and delivered.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by or on behalf of the Trustee with respect to the Notes under the Indenture, or its successor thereunder, by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers, this Global Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

The Notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons in the Denominations specified above. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, this Global Note is exchangeable for certificates representing notes of like tenor and of an equal Principal Amount as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. If (x) the Depository is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 60 days, (y) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that this Global Note shall be exchangeable or (z) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to this Global Note, this Global


Note shall be exchangeable for certificates representing the Notes in definitive form of like tenor and of an equal Principal Amount, in authorized denominations. Such definitive Notes shall be registered in such name or names as the Depository shall instruct the Trustee. If definitive Notes are so delivered, the Company may make such changes to the form of this Global Note as are necessary or appropriate to allow for the issuance of such definitive Notes.

In case an Event of Default with respect to this Global Note has occurred and is continuing, the amount payable to a Holder of this Global Note upon any acceleration permitted by the Notes, with respect to each Unit, shall be equal to the Redemption Amount per Unit, calculated as though the date of acceleration were the Stated Maturity.

In case of default in payment of this Global Note, whether on the Stated Maturity or upon acceleration, from and after such date this Global Note shall bear interest, payable upon demand of the Holders thereof, at the Default Rate, to the extent that payment of interest shall be legally enforceable, on the unpaid amount due and payable on such date in accordance with the terms of this Global Note to the date payment of such amount has been made or duly provided for.

The Default Rate with respect to this Global Note shall be the then current Federal Funds Rate, reset daily. “Federal Funds Rate” means:

(1) the rate with respect to a particular interest determination date displayed on Reuters or any successor service on page FEDFUNDS1 under the heading “EFFECT” or any other page as may replace page FEDFUNDS1 on that service (“Reuters Page FEDFUNDS1”), or

(2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) does not appear on Reuters Page FEDFUNDS1 or is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related calculation date, the rate with respect to a particular interest determination date for United States dollar federal funds as published in H.15 Daily Update, or other recognized electronic source used for the purpose of displaying the applicable rate, under the caption “Federal Funds (Effective)”, or

(3) if the rate referred to in clause (2) is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related calculation date, the rate with respect to a particular interest determination date calculated by the Calculation Agent as the arithmetic mean of the rates for the last transaction in overnight United States dollar federal funds arranged by three leading brokers of United States dollar federal funds transactions in The City of New York, which may include the agent or its affiliates, selected by the Calculation Agent prior to 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Business Day following that interest determination date, or

(4) if the brokers selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in clause (3), the Federal Funds Rate for the Business Day preceding the particular interest determination date.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than 66 2/3% in aggregate


principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series affected thereby. Holders of specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of each series, are permitted to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Global Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Global Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Global Note.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Global Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the Redemption Amount and interest on this Global Note, if any, at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations set forth therein and on the face hereof, the transfer of this Global Note may be registered on the Security Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Global Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company duly executed by, the Holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new certificates representing the Notes of authorized denominations of like tenor and for the same Principal Amount, shall be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

Prior to due presentment of this Global Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Global Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Global Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

The Company and each Holder and beneficial owner (by acceptance hereof) hereby agree (in the absence of an administrative determination, judicial ruling or other authoritative guidance to the contrary) to characterize and treat this Global Note for all tax purposes as a pre-paid cash-settled forward contract linked to the level of the Basket.

The Indenture and this Global Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

All terms used in this Global Note which are defined in the Indenture but not in this Global Note shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.

Dated: June 18, 2008

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series

designated therein referred to in the

within-mentioned Indenture.

    Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
[Copy of Seal]              
The Bank of New York, as Trustee     By:        
          Assistant Treasurer
By:          Attest:     
  Authorized Officer         Secretary

 


ASSIGNMENT/TRANSFER FORM

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto (insert Taxpayer Identification No.)    __________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of assignee)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing ______________________ attorney to transfer said Note on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Date:                       

 

  NOTICE: The signature of the registered Holder to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

 

2

EX-5 3 dex5.htm OPINION RE: LEGALITY; CONSENT OF COUNSEL Opinion re: legality; consent of counsel

EXHIBIT (5)

 

 

LOGO

 

SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP

787 SEVENTH AVENUE        

NEW YORK, NY 10019

(212) 839 5300

(212) 839 5599 FAX

  

BEIJING

BRUSSELS

CHICAGO

DALLAS

FRANKFURT

GENEVA

HONG KONG

LONDON

    

LOS ANGELES

NEW YORK

SAN FRANCISCO

SHANGHAI

SINGAPORE

SYDNEY

TOKYO

WASHINGTON, D.C.

    

 

FOUNDED 1866

June 18, 2008

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

4 World Financial Center

New York, New York 10080

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As your counsel, we have examined a copy of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the “Company”), certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. We are familiar with the corporate proceedings had in connection with the proposed issuance and sale by the Company to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), pursuant to a Distribution Agreement dated March 31, 2006 (the “Distribution Agreement”) between the Company and MLPF&S, of the Company’s Capped Leveraged Index Return Notes® Linked to an International Small Cap Basket due December 24, 2009 (the “Notes”) in an amount equal to $5,300,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes. We have also examined a copy of the Indenture between the Company and The Bank of New York as successor Trustee, dated as of April 1, 1983, as amended (the “Indenture”), and the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-132911) relating to the Notes (the “Registration Statement”).


Based upon the foregoing and upon such further investigation as we deemed relevant in the premises, we are of the opinion that:

1. The Company has been duly incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware.

2. The Notes have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and, when the Notes have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor as set forth in the Distribution Agreement, the Notes will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, moratorium, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and as an exhibit to the Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K dated June 18, 2008.

Very truly yours,

/s/    SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP

 

2

GRAPHIC 4 g40276img001.jpg GRAPHIC begin 644 g40276img001.jpg M_]C_X``02D9)1@`!`@``9`!D``#_[``11'5C:WD``0`$````9```_^X`#D%D M;V)E`&3``````?_;`(0``0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$! M`0$!`0$!`0$!`0$!`0("`@("`@("`@("`P,#`P,#`P,#`P$!`0$!`0$"`0$" M`@(!`@(#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,#`P,# M`P,#`P,#`P,#_\``$0@`,0":`P$1``(1`0,1`?_$`'8```$%`0$!`0$````` M``````H`!P@)"P8%`P($`0$`````````````````````$```!@(!`P,!!@0& M`P`````"`P0%!@#%A<1$!```` M`````````````````/_:``P#`0`"$0,1`#\`/2F<2:"Z#ZJ[N<#R']CU\A'52C9"7$-^Z&W&XZ)`X(W%;%EVR]&+G2`S\+:GRH4HX M'8=).MK1]^I]3[=UC&9;#X);Y$M5 MQV/SDMH)E2)+$YW)X(::ZE,3F\M90G!7%S%)02U)N0D'`P/L/R#@)?\`01ZV MJV%9M5:%GE\R",OXL5L+JO;V!G?)O7U;IFDZTV43\U&2N;3^0LD(CZ M5N2`$6<8:MR$Q1D!17F(8>X<_9V_$;J9-1`9'4T_>W79J%L:RBT]?N$-G3'8 M-NOA[$:GHMLF+)(!QDF2CB[Z.2$/!QX(\JC+,\.):S)38=C(3'L2>1^KH#,; M(EIXTD<@\9>)2]F$A":IRA94!R\].A)$(OW;@JP3Z28D.<#//&``?M"QCH(Y M1+W,S8^SK`K.,CE,U@%8Q=E M=:XD3I&W)"\3R:/B.)AF,N5-1F8NPX4!6OXBSBRA`,)&'H'76[+SQ+MFAUB* MUSF"MG70TVPP7278%7%1,N%)#FMG<7<<3.DP)_[A%+78IM]MAOR8;G`CP=R< M>70-G*^1FIH2U:X262P^?((CL/<-D5!F5!2L9[/4Y]=2V0P`Z=6>:!XP-IK] MVF[4B;_O%.%2%NP[IU"W"=*6I.)"4&O5V,>Q=/0VY8XRO4=9IF6]C1LTBPB" M\H(RI+78;E2U%@9BQE,&'P-'_#$'OVSWQ@.$;-JX>Z:[5KL>3&Y,7%[ M-?J?C[2PF8:OQ`WJ;EM2*5.QGN.`N`F[!#4\2TE2K](\P7M2A^G@9GB#(,_M MWR$0'3^S:CK26PA_EJ^UD!SLC%'Y17[4]A0DV'7=;910^&2N2LDHM25_?%D) M%.6:/$+7#V!!QN"\YP``PL#Z!=`#9\U;:NP(;4FH.G<6?5T=@U\R.?V9;9B1 M08F)D;=5:F$MD(CKIZ(P"6L*5^ERIU4)AYR4-8WHC>WF0#.`+PTKUIIG4/5N MD]?J"8&ABK.`P&.HFDYI(3@'*%RAK2JGB8Y=SKEM*1,#&HP^*DC:TJ9*WKDAB8Y6<4G"4K+,,&`'EG`2_QLAM?G M&,YX[+;QG.,=\?GYJIGMG_#OBW>V>W0<#:%H[66?"'F$BT>V:K\3L)M.(F%7 M[1ZMP^;L:MI=4+PD4LSX3:RLH`3%*`!:E,I(4HER09J922<0:86(&8J6$V#2 MK=13=".-B^20Z\1NTHW`53GL]K&X*CP72\-4CLYXDN1V\6F>WN5R-I"O,-R6 M64G/.-PG+**%@L(PUIM8"I)@<;:W(URFYT!I\8403:Z MKQ"?;J)DB#"KRU(%:D_"--@H$GK2]2*9B-*#U#W>5-%>3&, MS2O)FKW*U7.L>#K8>QACY#%\[#ZM)FR4%PV4 MM$P;X_)2"K=QAXBCD[,:<+DW&]T[BD\TYX1DF&`$$?CJ-DJ*L'*IH'QM[#U% M&#M#MNF2H:[2GMCI$&'K MF$&(FXR-NE2E,)L_-_V@E@GAK)%@_./4"#&08SVSGH&;-@TR61R*P]WXP;CD M$4B2:]4"..OVR>L;FTNC7L>8_#MEID*0^X?!Z;'\$E6%EDG=PIBC,!+[>..@ M[_7MXN[6&E:YH&J>.6]$E=U;'B8Q$R)#LSK+)WP#60H4*@Y=9"[W$H='A<8> MJ&(Q0H,&:8+/<0LY^O0,@R5-B+.^P,:E\)L)5H)L7,) MY!*O>ZC;9?--FM5'I[<8O(I#'9,[JGPT%I(TR]_5N<72=U@2BA8*"(';Q%GH M'X@>V%A.EWP&D+;U7LBCG2SHI8THA0W$ARH5H35V",&J`D$'!0+Q&?+(L MW3.NX/JMO;5LFO.I:R0(81#+6AJM(AO6OXHQX(:FR*2B.20]N8K(;HJ@3X2I M!FK6=T3)R<%G&K!!!@`'7:,\L&@G(RV9.U3V'B4UE:5!AP>JJ>_=0NWF!.$. ME&BODN0!LL2L;L3A,8;E?Y&->]^UMJ^?;;L$49TNYE\LTK*::H>W4B!!<9:S3)&N7J$+>04%0/L#W(P^0\?7 M..@(XW>XH-R=3JBF>R_$QR$[QLEP5(R+9ZKUJON]9'LS45S,L63'.KQ&V6/V MZ&2Y;)NN;2#O9X5>_3.)^`),82#-"J*!^N`7FY9>76DI4S6(P,=?[:T62REV M[$H\)03%)G'GK)Z9CM6!(G!2K<&]H<5Z,U(YMIAZH;2NP7W.$2K3=`*M\H&+ MVKQ[[?T(R:N[>[LPN.["U_*;"F;`Y;9W@_-:"7&V:Z(E"J-$*YB#+&SB1N)9 M1;>2+VI`$X<%!!C.>X:!>G>KD*U&IM)6,$FUU3]K>VN:(PI8W+RBC\B)/*&$TDS&!AS@6,9Z#,UY&898N MM//WKSQ_UAMYO:BUHLBT-,HW*(VZ[EWVZR,;+9NK6-01G/<&%"8\K.W.^U@:+V:]1.UH"G%MC=*&6/]5(9(V$7!314V!+0 MA)FT2['HDZW(I]X@$`!6,@$0$(0%IXW>/L>X MO(-MS><&VXWV)XUM6+9;Z.H".K]SKV?3K_O>LDK%BUY>?*'*6*%[M3L:E:4\ M*@G-T"Z"G3?;@;XSN1)2]2F MZ*$00^X'K!II]ZTLK#6EGGKS`&!^\I`I;$I\6GBWN/'\20M;J/&`XP$0<8QT M`%'*Q\>O<3AD6-VZ6L5QR.T:(KN6,SHW7/",+H#=]`/*MP*21MTFS1B3A%@OTT3O5S:,&.V?#!?TZ"0'S6/WG:% M_H;*/ZK!Z#1:8_\`96?_`(MO_P`H3T'J=!F<<[,R2UU\I/7&?KF&7RE'"+!X M_P"6JXS7\<5S"=R%-'91%'<]DA<3;Q`72>5.I:3)#>WDYP:L5C+*!GR'CH"1 M>2OGV+J;2/8E_J[2/E`KFQW>M)1"X':EHZAV)1U>59,)JUJ8O';#DEER0TLB M/XB3DZ%KD7I%F'*EY!*<.2LF^J`+J.-28R^Q.._1>>V!*'N;3N::CZ\RF93& M2KC7212J4/U415S?9$^N1^CO2(4!L5A;5&%<%.7#P')+):+'ZK.>$8PIREAB-89@ M648,=`%'Q*\S>R%:\>UTAM#U!Z!V)45T7?DH7QNYT4GW`F52N3FY-=9M-W,H&4KDGD&A')]Q%Q.7V:;"=5-C5&R5?WXTJPM!$;4/*Y#6D;J M&:2%U7H35C.VP:@JVYL;9JNF^*+?237`H:@QE]UJM*MVAM=!I_P#7Y]9\6<8'73&W$']\ MJG-7-']$(O!81#)"6(_/B`H0PA2=\,FB9E7'&];=O2AO5-C3L%L<^/4``I)& M5AWA]>Q6/0<^1):4G_V0T*_I!3W M0:1G09U'%@:6=\O[=>( M!8,9&,.,AGP_%*ULL3;7DZVHY599'%S-6L3>+I5L#NK)&%,]7KL<_+W5U86A M8+L0XXAM>2%S&Z9+R+*9QG.,XNSC>SC./IG&<3 MZ$]LXS_CT&AUL!2\2V.HJY=?9YE6"%W=5T\J>5'MX$(W)(PV!%W.+.:]J^\T M;@W@=F]*Z"/2C.(.++4%@%D`L8[9")^E]H4'6LJ?>+&J7*PI!+N.C7?5B*RJ M1S)$PB2ND2F$"6-E:F">V96GRXRY1'H1[IV!]U-R@G-T`\7-7P=.',3>.F+A)KB25-15"L% M])+2-8DQJZUWIQL%/`3X01`4;@S+XB%(0[Q`670]P/+&4F%C!!1I@^Y8>706 MC_.WHS#&JF-?M]].MOJ6BB0EEK\C>NH+DC]CP:+H20)F>.))K3

W62(&E, M6$HG[T4*?2)"$HC!!("R@`T=P\&FZ?)M94&E7,1O1$I?25F7*M6QNUC).JWL-FF#;IHG;X^VR"IFV.L\(+)A M@+A''CFIN:XLD(-3'$F`5@"/)WF(P><@3FJK/=DS3LNMDFT59)]T<-"-*9LX M;K^0=6XWAD!JJ`^-IOUK9NU M.N0>NN4:I#=FK)>K2D,ODTFTP$]L#B[7&X*W2<*28I^=B1I;PJUBT>4Y9`2R MTH.P"PX#CMT$\[;X3MK=ZBFB)2>9(BEH0F!*4B"),,`#4HTQX<&X"\J@=?*5U9J6'T5KW7$:JBIX& M@RWQB%Q5&)*W(2S31J%BQ2><8H<'=Y=%AHU"U>L.4+5JDP9QYIAHQ"R`K7)3 M\;G=KE#O9FNG8+DQK(>(`C=XS4D88M0\LR*%P=7+'.3MS.N.:[C2#D;N2)<6 M6I7J,>:CT`]@@#]GH++7[3[G@>(\L8&_E^URB@U2`QO)?8UQTQDM[;`#($G" MH;1O-Q/360J)#GR+$)*/`!8QG&/IT'%\07##>7&;-=W[8L?=$O:&X-QTL07QI] M\]C-X(5R%VIRAU&\;)5]+*EF,4=46E_W7$&YSI1561CP,787;`6Q.>I_/"O0J$B7ERUE93SRAEEN;9QS,!BY((8!!PRD3O MZ;TW*HUK%;T3HFZG`QBS$[0F]:EV[&XZ2E?VQ7(`+8";(8L4\FNT=(5(R!"6 MEX2GG@/R$ST_3$`HM4_&GW]IG>U_Y'X1RJ5@1M/*9C94WD4H<=,$[A&75VME M"^-LT3'0LRX@,1#6M12`\!!))9>4O8L10@C`$70%^5NV3EDKR"LUG2IJG-D- M40C;=/IJQ1W$09)=,T3.C32:2M$4PXN^(TV/CR6Z4^T*-"5ZIGCY9!N MIM3!\NO^B+L!("D*>FHO=,=/CHFT:@V0"MI-7ZYQVR7X9\@?GH%T"Z!=`N@70+H%T"Z!=`N@70+H%T"Z!=`N@70+H%T"Z#__ !V3\_ ` end -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----